Bazed disease is an autoimmune disease that is most common in middle-aged women. It was first described by the German doctor K. Bazedov in the first half of the 19th century. Let us consider in more detail what are the causes of the occurrence of the Graves' disease, and also by what symptoms it manifests itself.
Causes of Graves' Disease
Basedova's disease is hereditary, but for the time being there was not found a single genetic defect for all patients.
It is supposed that its development is connected with the influence of a complex complex of several genes, combined with some factors.
As a result, the functioning of the immune system is broken, which begins to produce specific cells - antibodies. The effect of these antibodies is directed against the body's own cells, namely, they affect the thyroid gland. Under their action, the thyroid gland starts to work with excessive load, producing an excessive amount of hormones. In fact, there is a poisoning of the body with hormones of the thyroid gland.
It has been established that Graves' disease often occurs and develops under the influence of the following factors:
- mental trauma;
- stress;
- Infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- diseases of the nasopharynx;
- craniocerebral trauma;
- uncontrolled intake of iodine-containing drugs;
- toxicosis of pregnant women ;
- hypoparathyroidism;
- diabetes mellitus and others.
Symptoms of Graves' Disease
As a rule, this disease begins imperceptibly. However, in the future, its development leads to the appearance of characteristic initial symptoms of Graves' disease, which include:
- palpitation;
- acceleration of cardiac activity;
- ascites ;
- progressive weight loss;
- increased pulsation of the cephalic and cervical vessels;
- malfunctions of the menstrual cycle;
- increased sweating;
- swelling of the feet;
- tremor of hands;
- dyspeptic phenomena, etc.
Subsequently, the most revealing manifestations of the disease - swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter) and protrusion of eyeballs (exophthalmos) - are attached to these symptoms. Also can be observed multiple caries, periodontitis, chronic conjunctivitis, nail destruction.
A dangerous, suddenly developing complication of Graves' disease - thyrotoxic crisis - is characterized by such symptoms as severe tachycardia, severe fever, psychosis, nausea, vomiting, heart failure, etc. This condition requires immediate medical attention.